Gardens and Roses

As for continuation of the previous post on the Temple of Heaven, I would like to share on some photos of the gardens and flower around the Temple of Heaven. Without further a do, enjoy!

That's pink Cherry Blossoms and not sure about the Yellow flowers though..love the whole stretch

There are some roses around and certainly it's really huge

Beautiful Pink Rose

Macro close-up shot of the Rose

Close-up macro of Yellow Rose

Beautiful, adorable and angelic white rose

Lush green grasses...ah..it's so nice to rest on this type of grass

looks like lavender but it's not..and it's fenced up

Close-up shot of the purplish flower..anyone knows the name?

Well that's all for this posting. Hope that everyone will enjoy the roses and gardens. Up Next could be back on Japan travelogue again..byeeee

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The Temple of Heaven

The Temple of Heaven (天坛) is a famous temple complex of Taoist buildings in the Chongwen District. Previously visited by the Emperors of Ming and Qing dynasty for prayers of good harvest, it was constructed between 1406 and 1420 during the reign of Emperor Yong Le who was also responsible for the construction of the Forbidden City. It has been listed as one of the many UNESCO World Heritage Site and was described as "a masterpiece of architecture and landscape which illustrates an evolution of one of the world's great civilization. For more information Beijing travel or even other places of interests, you can visit this site for more travel tips.

Overview of the Temple of Heaven main prayer hall
   

Circular mold around the main shrine

 In front of the temple and on the left the tablet inscripted with the chinese character (Qi Nian Dian) which means Annual Praying Hall.

 

Inside the Annual Prayer Hall, which is the hall the emperor ascend and pray for good harvest. It means Heavenly Emperor Ascending (Huang Tian Shang Di). correct me if I'm wrong..

 Close-up architectural design of the roof of the Temple of Heaven

As time does not permit, I did not visit further to the other two praying hall..instead I walked around the complex and was delighted to came across many senior citizens with various types of activities.

 

It's really fun to see them kicking and playing shuttlecocks, one of their traditional games

 

Ribbon dancing

 

An old lady performing a dance and a sketch

 

chacha dancing class for everyone..

and even tai chi classes, calligraphy writing and much more..it's very nice for me to watch especially in the early cool spring in the morning and the old generations are really taking time to relax and enjoy their life.

The next post would be up on about the gardens and some beautiful flowers in the Temple of Heaven.

Travel Avids could visit the following site for more travel tips on China.

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Qianmen Shopping Square: Old vs New Buildings

From the continuation of the previous post, Qianmen Shopping Square, if you look properly at every building, you will be able to see a photo of old times 'pasted' on that building itself 

Below are some of the photos that I took to share with..

 Stabucks: Old vs New

 

Zara: Old vs New

 

 China Construction Bank: Old vs New

A bookshop? (unknown shop: it says Zhong Guo * *): Old vs New

Tissot: Old vs New

If you live before that era and when you look into that photos, for sure you will feel nostalgic

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Qianmen Shopping Square

Qian Men, an old square renovated and refurbished into a shopping square have been a hit among foreign and local tourists. Situated at the Tiananmen Square area..it's within walking distance from the Forbidden City and could be reached at Qianmen Station. Around these Square you will be able to view the old (but new) hutong shop houses selling local and foreign brands. Without further ado, I think it's better to view the photos below. Pictures paint thousands of words.

 

 As usual, that's the so called main gate which looks like other China Town

Along the shopping square, and you can see a tram railroad..and yes it's still operational but for tourism purposes

That's the Starbucks of China..cool isn't it?

The interior of the Starbucks Coffee house..Chinese influence..

 

On the left: Swatch Shop

On the right: a tea shop.. the tea sold in this shop are cheap and of high quality

On the left: triple storey Haagen Daz ice cream shop

On the right: a souvenir shop

Huge Chinese Restaurant

 

 and Uni Qlo from Japan is also available in Beijing, but the price's a little expensive compare to Japan

 

 If  you roam into the side walkways of the shops you will be able to find more shops with good bargains (fake and original)

 

 That's the tram I mentioned just now

 

A clock tower of Rolex

 and not forget to mention, that public toilets are everywhere and it's free, you don't need to pay to use it

 and a Chinese drum shaped garbage bin

here's the KFC of China, with a drawing of Chinese Opera theme, it's finger lickin' good

During the night, you will be able to spectate beautiful lights..

Water fountain following the rhythm of musics 

 Starbucks at night. Beautiful right?

 Haagen Daz at night

 

Well that's all for the first part, and on the next part I will be presenting on Old vs New Buildings of Qianmen in which you will be able to see a comparison of each buildings

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